Mayor Landrieu unveils Super Bowl XLVII Preliminary Traffic Plan

December 11, 2012

NEW ORLEANS, LA—Today, in anticipation of preparations for Super Bowl XLVII, Mayor Landrieu, the City’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness and the New Orleans Police Department unveiled the preliminary Super Bowl XLVII Traffic Plan. The plan details initial road closures and suggested routes for commuters and tourists traveling in and out of the downtown, riverside and French Quarter areas of the city during the weeks leading up to the Super Bowl and on game day.

“We’re just 53 days out from the Super Bowl, and preparations are going to start to intensify very soon. We’re really focused on communicating with the public what their expectations should be for driving and parking in these areas,” said Mayor Mitch Landrieu.

During a press conference held prior to the Super Bowl Host Committee’s December media luncheon, Mayor Landrieu and City Officials noted that the first round of street closures will begin on Saturday, January 5, 2013. During this time, commuters and visitors to the downtown New Orleans area will begin to see several roads and an exit near the Mercedes-Benz Superdome closed as workers begin to assemble equipment in the area. Road closures include Dave Dixon Drive, Magnolia Avenue, West Stadium Drive, Howard Avenue and Sugar Bowl Drive. The Super Dome exit from the Pontchartrain Expressway will also be closed.

Traffic restrictions will intensify moving closer to the Super Bowl and on game day, February 3, 2013. Parking will be extremely limited throughout the Mardi Gras and Super Bowl festivities. Visitors are encouraged to utilize public transportation whenever possible.

“We’re asking New Orleanians to be patient and plan their routes in advance,” said Lt. Col. Jerry Sneed, Deputy Mayor of Public Safety and Homeland Security. “The closer we get to game day, the more restrictions you will see. If you review the plan now, you won’t be caught off guard later on.”

The traffic plan, including the initial maps for each date and time period, is available online at www.nola.gov/superbowl. The maps are subject to change.